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MLB Picks

July 6 MLB Odds: Train Keeps Rolling for Astros at Blue Jays

The American League’s top offense settles in for a long weekend set in Toronto, and the Houston Astros are strong favorites on the MLB odds to take the series opener Thursday.

MLB Season Record: 43-45 (-1.31)

Sporting the best record in the majors for two months now, the Houston Astros have been tough to beat regardless of where they’re playing. But they’ve been especially tough on the road and will wrap up the first half of their campaign with a 4-game stop in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Game 1 of the set features Lance McCullers Jr. opposite Francisco Liriano on the mound, 5Dimes hanging -160 chalk on Houston with a 9-run total.

Houston comes in after sweeping two from the Braves in Atlanta, the eighth road series victory in the last nine to give the Astros a huge 16-game lead atop the AL West. Toronto just took two of three in the Bronx from the Yankees but remains 9½ behind Boston in the basement of the AL East.

Liriano Looks To Avenge 2016 Beating At Hands Of Houston

The results have been mixed in McCullers’ two starts since a short DL stint, the All-Star winning in Seattle and earning a no-decision in a home loss to the Yankees last Saturday. He failed to make it through six full frames each time out, surrendering a combined four runs, but did whiff 14 against just two walks and remains stingy in the HR category with only one allowed his last nine starts (51.2 IP). Tonight will be his first appearance at Rogers Centre and just his second career start vs. the Blue Jays.

Its been hot-or-miss for Liriano lately, but the end results have been positive with Toronto cashing seven of his last nine assignments, good enough to put 5.5 units of profit into anyone following the Blue Jays on the MLB odds. The Dominican faced the Astros once last year after coming to Toronto, and he was shelled in Rogers Centre to the tune of five runs before being chased in the top of the sixth. That was Liriano’s first appearance against Houston since an interleague contest in 2006 during his Minnesota tenure.

Rivalry Info, Mother Nature & A Free Pick

Can’t really call this one a rivalry yet, but it has been an interesting series as far as how both sides have defended their home grounds with near equal success. The Astros are up 18-16 overall, winning 13 of 18 in Houston, while the Blue Jays are 11-5 in Toronto. The Jays have won five of the last six at home, totals splitting 3-3 O/U in the games.

There is a slight chance of a passing shower this evening, but the forecast is fine otherwise so we might see the roof open. Another run-line play will be my free baseball pick in this international affair.